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Suicide in the military
Suicide risks in the armed forces / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Suicide in the military is the act of ending one's life during or after a career in the armed forces.
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While suicide rates in military organizations vary internationally, official statistics in several countries show a consistently higher risk in certain subgroups.
In the United Kingdom (UK), young serving personnel are markedly more likely than older personnel and same-age civilians to end their lives.[1][2]
The risk among former military personnel is higher than among either serving personnel or the general population, according to research in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the United States (US).[3][4][5][6][7] The risk is particularly marked among veterans who joined up at a young age.[3][5][8][6]
Contrary to popular belief, deployment to a war zone has not been associated with an increased risk of suicide overall, according to research in Canada, Denmark, the UK, and the US.[4][9][10][11][12] Participating in, or witnessing killing and wounding, however, can increase the risk.[12]
A study of the US army found that the career stage carrying the greatest suicide risk was not deployment, but initial military training,[13] as a time of disorientation and stress.[14]
Individuals most at risk of suicide during or after a military career include those who: had a troubled childhood;[10] are of low rank;[3][4][1][15][16] have close-combat roles in war;[4][17] and/or leave service soon after joining.[3][8][18] Certain other known risk factors for suicide are common in military life, including depression,[19] posttraumatic stress disorder,[20] alcohol misuse,[20][21] bullying[22][23][24][25] and sexual harassment.[26][27][28][29]
Variations in the suicide rate in military populations may also signify changes in the prevalence of related mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and histories of self-harm.[30]